Decision looms on electoral boundary changes

The Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, says the future of his seat will be clear on Thursday, when a decision on proposed electoral boundary changes is revealed.

Mr Sykes has argued against the proposal to divide his north-east seat into three parts, saying it could dilute the voice of rural voters.

He says the time for community consultation has passed and Thursday's decision will be final but he hopes the Electoral Boundaries Commission will accept a suggestion that he put forward to expand Benalla rather than carve it up.

"What we would hope is that they would listen to our option which was basically to extend the southern boundaries of the existing Benalla electorate further south and incorporate Alexandra, Yea and Seymour as had been the case in years gone by," he said.

"Whether our proposal is listened to or not only time will tell but what I do know, once the final call has been made then that will be the new arrangement and whoever the MPs are that represent those areas then they will do the best job possible to represent their electorates to the best of their abilities."

Under the proposed changes, Paul Weller's seat of Rodney would be abolished and the area included in the neighbouring seat of Swan Hill.

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